Police Sweep Apartments Where Officer Was Shot
Officers issue criminal trespass warnings to non-residents
Updated 9:32 PM CST, Wed, Jan 7, 2009
Police said another officer was shot 11 years ago at the same apartment complex where a Dallas police officer was shot and killed Tuesday night.
Senior Cpl. Norman Smith was shot in the face at the Oak Wood Place Apartments off Loop 12 near Interstate 45 shortly after 6 p.m. Tuesday while he tried to serve a felony warrant.
Dallas police swarmed the complex Wednesday to issue people who did not live there criminal trespass warnings. Police arrested several people, including some apartment residents, on outstanding warrants.
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"I think it's a good thing," resident Janice Watkins said.
But residents said the move should have come sooner.
"Honestly, it took a police officer to get killed for them to actually do something about it," Porsha Fischer said.
Porsha Fischer lives right across from the doorway where Smith was gunned down.
"I have a newborn baby -- she's 5 weeks old -- and I don't plan on raising her over here," she said. "It's too dangerous."
Smith was one of several officers with the gang unit who were attempting to serve a felony warrant for aggravated assault to a man wanted in Arlington.
Police said an officer was also shot at the apartment complex, then known by a different name, in 1998. Residents had similar complaints about crime at the complex at the time of that shooting.
The officer survived the shooting.
City Council members, who offered condolences to Smith's family, said the complex should have done more to keep out trouble.
Councilwoman Vonciel Hill said it was "unacceptable to have that kind of a blight" in a good neighborhood.
"If the managers and the owners cannot get rid of the thugs and the hoodlums, then I will do everything legally possible to shut you down," she said.
Deputy Chief Sherryl Scott said the apartment complex has made some efforts but could do more.
"They can also do more, but we can too, and we're out here doing some," she said.
The apartment manager, who did not want to be identified, said she has been trying to root out troublemakers.
First Published: Jan 7, 2009 6:33 PM CST
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